Stapler device



y 1961 G. M. LA POINTE ETAL 2,982,966

STAPLER DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,2 64

Filed July 15, 1959 me 0 E DWIGHT E. PRIEST GABRIEL M. LA POINTE M y 1 cs. M. LA POINTE ETAL 2,982,956

STAPLER DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1959 DWIGHT E PRIEST GABRIEL M. LA POINTE Mpazzhrs wnaeg y 9, 1961 G. M. LA POINTE ETAL 2,982,966

STAPLER DEVICE Filed July 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 DWIGHT E. PRlEST GABRIEL M. LA POINTE .2 P22251 5 b 2022 firuegfi y 1951 G. M. LA POINTE ET AL 2,982,966

STAPLER DEVICE Filed July 15, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

DWIGHT E. PRlEST GABRIEL M. LA POINTE .Zizweuihry Filed July 15, 1959 G M. LA POINTE ETAL STAPLER DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /Q. a 1* m 4 8 20 GI) 1 45 32 g Lama 1 a M T65 AZZ All

DWlGHT E. PRIEST GABRIEL M. LA POINTE :driver.

invention;

STAPLER. DEVICE Gabriel M. La Points, Worcester, and Dwight E. Priest,

Southhorough, Mass., amignors to Parker Manufacturing Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed July 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,252

8 Claims. or. 1-96) States Patent from said magazine, a compression spring normally holding the hammer in a first lower staple-ejecting position adjacent the magazine whereat the driver projects into said magazine, an operating member pivotally secured to the frame, a hammer-operating member pivotally secured to the lever, said member having a hook portion for gripping the hammer whereby when the lever is 0per'ated the hammer is moved upwardly against the force of the spring, and means for pivoting said member to disengage said hook portion when the hammer has-been moved upwardly to a second selected position, whereby the hammer will be driven back to said first position by said spring to eject a staple from the magazine.

Another specific object is to provide a stapler 'tacker having a novel form of screen puller. a

Still another specific object is to provide astaple tacker having a simplified form of means for indicating the quantity of staples remaining in the magazine;

Still another specific object is to provide a stapler having a novel mechanism for operating the stapler 'A furtherobject is to provide a stapler having a simplified handle-locking mechanism.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the Fig. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the hammer and staple ejector assembly;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the pawl for lifting the hammer;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation like Fig. 2 but showing the base member in opened relation to the frame;

Fig. 14 is an end view of the base member;

Fig. 15 is a bottom view of the frame as it appears when the base member is inopened position;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the base member;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 1717 of Fig. 4 with the magazine empty of staples and the screen puller in extended operating position;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-48 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 17 but taken at a higher level and with a supply of staples in the magazine;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 19, and

Figs. 21 and 22 are fragmentary cross-sectional and longitudinal sections respectively showing modifications of the present invention.

The stapler about to be described in detail comprises the following sections: aframe, a magazine for a series of staplers, an indicator for revealing the quantity of staples in the magazine, a base member which functions as a cover for the magazine, a screen puller, a staple extractor, operating mechanism for ejecting staples one by one, and a lock for the firing mechanism.

(A) The frame, magazine, and staple supply indicator front wall 20 of front member 6 and the front edges 22 tend into the 'guideway 24 up againstfront wall 20. The

invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. l is a'plan view of a stapler embodying thepresent Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same staplerf r I Fig. 3 is abottom view of the same stapler;

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken al'ong'line 4-4 of Fig.1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 -5 of "4; I

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of Fig. 4 but illustrating a modified form of handle-locking mechanism; i

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7 -7 of Fig;

'i'etaiiner and pawl release cam;

top wall 320i bottom member 3 terminates short of the front wall 20 and forms a narrow slot 34. Straddling the sides 28 and 30 and thetop surface 32 of the bottom member Sat its front end is a U-shaped member 36 which is rigidly secured thereto. The-top portion of member 36 has a raised portion 38 which cooperates with the top surface 32 of member 8 to form a channelto receive the square head 40 of a boltor center post 42'. The raised portion 38 has a suitable opening to accommodate bolt or center post 42. The top portion 32 of bottom members has a square hole 46i(Figs.' 9 and 15) for bolt head 40'. The top portion of" member '66 is notched at the front so as not to obstruct the slot 34. I

' The bottom member 8 defines a'channel or magazine to contain staples.S.- The top surface 320i bdttorn member 8 is provided with an elongated slot 48 which act's'as a guideway for two' rivets 50 and 52 which support a 'U-shaped staple feeding member 54. -The heads. of rivets :50 and 52 overlap the 't'op'surface 32 of bottom member 8. The head of rivet 5 2 is of squareor diamond shape, as'shown in'Figs. 4, '17, and 19. Inscribed on the top surfa'ce 32 is a line 56, the word fEmptyf'and anarrow pointing --to the line. These indicate tliat almostall 'of the staples are consumed 'whenrivet head s2 is located atli'ne 56.

' 1 5* (c) wnin Ma aw P t;

, i Hammer '26iislslidablyl mounted; on "ee nter -topiof memberz36 ;'I'he;.driver lade.1'18 fits 134 a ir z em ber, screen (3) Base The base member comprises a U-shaped channel which is welded to the top surface of a relatively wide base plate 62' whose side edges' arejcurved upwardly and inwardlyras shown at 64 and'66i "The'sides'of channel member 60 .are spaced 'to'fitf between the side members 2 and 4 of the frame and are pivotally connected to the latter'by a pin 68.; i The'rearend of base 'plate 62 is beveled and tapered'a's shown at:69 in -Fig s;:2; -3, :and '41 This permits the rear endto function as a. staple" extractor-"Q. Y'TQ'V i I i Positioned in'channel memb'eri60'at its. front end is a screen puller, member 70. Q The latterj has two elongated slots Hand 74; These slots cooperate with rivets 76 and 78 secured torchannel member 60 and base plate "escapes. 4

q nd le x ra or '62 to permit longitudinal movement of screen puller a relative to the base. ;The head80 of rivet 7;8"is round and overlaps the top surface of screen puller 70. v The :1.

head 82 ofrivet 76has-beenjcut away on three sides, lea ng a p. hi 'o l p c n p l r-1 .0 3; w e the latter is moved forward; When the latteris moved rearwardly iflbecomes free of the rivet head 82,- and,

since it is flexible, its front end can be raised. -Its front end is bent downwardly andhas a series of depending prongs' 86 whichcan be used to pull a wire screen. Whenthe puller is latched down by thehead of rivet 16,

. I prongs 86 are located in front of base plate 62and project below it by an amountsufficient to grip a"-screen-'.'-

The pulleris also provided-witha hook 88whichfunc} tions an anchor for one end of a tension spring 90. The opposite end of spring 90is attached to a depending hook 92 formed on therear-end of thestaplefeeder 54. When the base member is in closed position, spring base member is openedfor the purpose of permitting the operator to engage screen puller 70 so as to it to latched-position.

-The base or cover member is locked in clos'ed-posi} tion (Fig. 2). by means .oftwo'identical latche lennents 96 and 98 '(Fig. 9) which are secured toa rotatable pin 100' which extendsbetween and through side members Z and 4. The bottom ends of these latchelemenmhave rearwardlyi extending hook portigggglQZ-ywhieh slip under-the sides edges 64 and 66 of baseiplate'i z. Ihese 104. (Fig. 16') to accommodatethe b ot toini ends of the The center bore in hammer 26 is enlarged as shown "at 127 to accommodate a compression spring 128. The

ing,134 .which is. screwed onto theftopend of bolt 42 and functions to keep the retainer element;130. in tight engagement .with spring 128, 'Spring 1287 holds the hammer down in the position shown in Fig.'4and-also place and can be removed by the simple expedientof removing bushing 134.

The operating mechanism for hammer 26 includes an elongated lever 138 of U-shaped construction disposed between side members 2 and 4. It is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 140 connected to side members 2 and V The rear end of lever 138 projects upwardly out from between sidememb ers 2'and 4 and is shaped as at 142 to function as a handle or trigger. From pivot pin 140 to 1 its front end, lever 138 'isslotted so as to leave two a parallel arms 144 and 146. Two pins 148 and :150jare connected between arms '144 and 146. A. hammer lift= ing element is supported by the foremost pin .148; i As seen best in Fig. 12, thefhamm'er lifting element com prises an elongated flat portion 152 formed with a-hook hammer 26, and dimple 158 spaces it from the hammer so as to permit only the end of the hook to engage'the 1 underside of the hammer. This makes, it easier to disengage the hook from the hammer. Fingers 160 extend intoguideway 24 along;opposite'sides of the compres-' sion spring 128, as shownin Figs; 4,7,: and"8.' JIt is to be noted that the sides of springretai-ner130 are in a position to intercept fingers 160 when the hammer lifting 7 element is raised by operation of lever 138. ThisTwill'f cause the hammer lifting element to pivot counterclock j I wise (Fig. 4 );about' pin,148 to freethe hammer from the hook.ri.-The bottom rear corners-of s'ides 133- of 50 side edges are=notchedat theirj front endsas show nat latch elements. 1 The latch elements arefr'estrained V against pivoting to release;po sition by aspiring member a 106 which isybent aroundlpivot pifi'100 a' top portion 108; which bears against thellatch member'sand two end portions which-bearagainst'sidelmembers 2 and 4 and bottom fmember s. i a V post 42 aridis gu'ided'bythe front-edges 22 of side menu;-

bers 2 and 4. On'aitspfront ;-face,} hammer-26f-has;twd intersecting rectangular groovesf;-114. and; 1 16, andeforce fitted: into these :grooves is; a' Tjshap'ed; driver blade-1118 IheK-lat'teripiojcts down beyond thegbottomg of hammer hfi h Qt i t p ht iugaa 'eaiaegenf is r Thus, hook;po rtion,-154 is heldQagainst-th'ehamrdeij at g; all times vexcept when fingers 160 strike'sides 133:;0 the spring retainen shaped element 36 directly beneath it., 5

The lock takes the form leve 17 spring retainer are beveled as shown at 162 ";(FigZ This facilitates pivoting the hammer lifting el'ea, rnent'to hammerareleasingposition; .Pin:.150 ;supports. aspring member 164 which-comprises a loop portion 1.66:111311 engagestherear .side. of lflat portiont152 of the hammer lifting mechanism and 1 two end portions 168'thate'xtend under and engagejpivot pin 140. jiSpring member :164'urges flat portion?152i,toward;hammer; and also. :uIIges glever .138; counterclockwise .(Fig

The operating .mechanism rmiiins. handle or -;trigger1:i142 .Jis squeezed ztoward ghandl hook 154 moves hammer 26' upwardly against jthes n x 2 fls r ve 18'Qu fi 1i s 'f1s ai f magazine, allowing staple pusher 54 to place a staplein the pqsition previously occupied; by the drive en ii ngers strike retainer 13Q,-the:hamm'e r V ele; ment 152 is pivoted to freethe hammer. Whenthis f A lock; isprovided to renderfthjel st apler inope ra m r al pivot pin 17 4 which is secured to side members 2 and 4. A cover plate 176 is secured to side members 2 and 4 in covering relation to the fdfwa'rd end of level 138 and the guideway 24. Cover plate 176 is secured in place by pivot pin 174 which extends through a pair of ears 177 found on the underside of the cover plate. Cover plate 176 has a narrow slot 178 (Fig. 1) located between ears 177. Slot 178 accommodates the top end of lever 172. The top end of lever 172 is rounded and knurled as shown at 180 so as to facilitate movement of the lever by the operators' thumb. The bottom end of lever 172 has a forwardly extending hook 182 which, when the lever 138 has been pivoted clockwise (Fig. 4) suthcient to ffire the stapler, can be moved under pin 150 to hold lever 138 down a ainst handle 12. A small spring 184 mounted on pivot pin 174 acts between cover plate 176 and lever 172 to urge the lever in a counterclockwise direction, whereby tofacilitate unlocking of lever 138. g

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of lock wherein release of lever 138 is effected by clockwise instead of counterclockwise movement of the locking lever. In this case, locking lever 172 is replaced by a locking lever 172a whose hook portion 182a extends reafwardly instead of forwardly. A spring 184a urges lever 172a clockwise, and counterclockwise movement is required to cause hook 182a to engage pin 150.

Figs. 21 and 22 illustrate two other variations that may be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. Here, the U -shaped element 36 is replaced by a U-shaped element 3'6athat stands higher above the top surface 32 of member 8, and rubber" cushion 122 is replaced by a rubber cushion l22a that fits below instead of above the U-shaped element. Rubber cushion 122a is supported by the top surface 32 of member 8 and is kept in place by tongue 33 lanced out of top surface 32 of member 8. Bolt or center post '42 is replaced by a guide rod 42:: which has an enlarged head 190 of square rectangular cross-section and a shoulder 192 of rectangular cross-section. Head 190 rests on rubber cushion 1222i. U-shaped element 36:: has a matching rectangular 7 hole to accommodate shoulder 192. The latter projects above element 36a and is engaged by hammerf26 when the latter is in its 'at-rest position. When the hammer is completing its element 36. Since this eliminates a metal-to-metal blow,

firing stroke, it strikes shoulder 192. The latter yields 4 the mechanism will not emit a loudjnoise when fired.

The second variation illustrated by Figs. 21 and 22 relates to the screen puuer.- Here, the rivet 76 (Fig. 4) is omitted, and instead, tongue 94 is struck up in the U-shaped channel member. 60, of the base plate. This tongue projects up into slot 72'of screen puller 7G.

When the screen puller is moved forwardly, tongue 94 will overlie the rear edge of slot 72 and thereby act to hold the forward end of the screen puller flat against channel member 66 so that prongs86 will project below base plate 6 2. The screen puller. is unlatched-by shifting. itrea rwardly. When unlatched, its teeth will be substantially fully retracted. j ln some cases, the teeth may still project below base plate 62; but due to the 'springiness of the metal ofwhich it is constructed, the

screexr puller flex readily to; permit retraction of prongs 86 when they are pressedupwardly. Even in its modified form, screen puller functions as an anchor for spring 98. In this case, however, the end ofspring 90 is slipped into a hole formed in the front end of the specifically described or illustrated 6 results in shortening of the operating stroke of'hamine'r 26 since the closer retainer is to cushion122,tthe sooner fingers engage the retainer and the sooner hook 154 isdisengaged from the hammer. The adjustability of bushing 134 also makes it possible to replace spring 128 with another spring of slightly different length or strength. Thus, the size and strength of spring 128 is not critical as in previous constructions.

A further advantage of the operating mechanism is the use of a single'spring164'to keep the hook 154 in engagement with the hammer and also to return the lever 138 to its normal at-rest position (Figs. 2 and 4). Another advantage is the use of retainer 130 to retain spring 128' on'shaft' '42 and also to function as a cam against fingers 160. A further advantage resides in the fact that the hammer and driver are only snug-fitted together with the front wall 20 of the frame and the front edges '22 of side members 2 and 4 acting to prevent lateral separating movement of the hammer and driver. This eliminates a welding or similar operation normally used to secure a driver to a hammer.

The lock mechanism also provides an advantage. It can be operated easily with the thumb of the same hand used to squeeze together handle 12 and trigger 138. Previously, lock mechanisms were difhcult to operate and were so located as'to require the use of the'other hand. It is to b'enoted also that lever 138 is'loc'ked in down rather than up position, thereby making it more compact for packing and for storing in a workmans pocket.

Screen 'puller 7.0' also provides a material advantage. In addition and without detriment to its normal function, it serves as an anchor for spring 90. The latter not only urges staple feeding member 54 forward but also urges the forward end of screen puller 70 upward, thereby drawing the prongs 86 up into device when the puller is slipped to the right free of rivet head 82 (Figs. 4 and 16) or tongue 94. Another significant advantage is the location of latches 96 and '98. Since both are secured firmly to pin I00, operation of either will operate the other. Moreover, they can be operated regardless of the position of lever 138 and by the thumb and/or index finger of the hand holding the stapler by its handle 12." The use of two latches, one for each side edge, eliminates any torsional strain on base plate -62. Having the-latches engage the iuturned side edges of the base plate makes possible the 'u'sefof a relatively wide base plate. A wide .base plate makes it easy to hold the stapler normal to'the surface to be stapled and also permits it to be set down with its handle standing up, ready to be grasped again for additional use.) i f e i 1 V i Obviously, many modifications and variations of this invention are po sible'in the light ofthe foregoing. teachings.v Therefore, it isto be understood that the invention' 'is -not limited in its application' to theldetails 'of -construction and arrangement of parts specifically describedor illustrated, and that within the scope'of the appended claims, it maybe practiced otherwise than as We claim:

' ing a narrow elongated opening at one end "for a staple driving blade, a guide-rod mounted in said guideway, a

hollow hammer mounted on said guide rod for reciprocal movement in said xguideway, a staple, driving blade car- 'ried by said hammer, said hammer normally located at said one end of said guideway with said driver blade "extendingthrough said narrow opening, afirst spring opposing movement of said hammer away from said one guideway end, means at said one end'for absorbing the energy of said hammer when said hammer is returned rapidly to said guideway end by said first spring, a lever,

meansmountin'g said lever for pivotal movement about a pivot point located intermediate its ends, a hammerp v 1. A staple-tacker comprising a vertical guideway hay hookedportion, means urging saidzhookedt'portion into gripping connection with the bottom endof s'aidhammer whereby when said lever is pivoted'by force in'a'first direction saidf hammer-lifting element willirnove 1 said hammer away from said one'guideway .end in opposition to said first spring, means connected to the top end of said rod for, moving said hooked portionaway from saidhammer when said hammerhas been movedja selected distance away from said onefguideway end, whereby to release, said hammer fora retumistrokeback to' said one guideway 'end under thezfforpe exerted by saidfia'st spring,"and meansurging said layer in :av second direction whereby'said lever'willjreturn to its original position after his released of said force; r

' .i ;2. A staple tacker: as defined by claim 1 wherein A means for moving'said, hooked portiomaway'from said hammer is movable longitudinally of said ,rod whereby to vary the distancet through which said hammer must be moved before it is released. r t. 1 y 11 3.'A staple tacker Tas defined by iclaim lffurther including a pin on said lever intermediate theipi vot point of said lever and the pivot point ofgsaid hammer lifting element, anda latch located above said/pin" and, engageable' therewith to lock said lever againstmovement back to its original position aftert said hammer 'h'asjbeen refleased w 12?. I" i t1 4; A staple tacker as defined by claimllzwherein said first spring is maintained on said shaft'by saidymeans for moving said hooked portion away from'saidhammer. 5. A staple tackert comprising'aframehavingia pair' of side walls, aifront wall and a-bottom -wall,--said bottom' wall' having an elongated narrow opening therein ad.-

jacent said front wall, said front wall'and said side: walls encompassing a vertical guideway ;eirtending-lllpwardly from said bottom "wall, awerticalguide rod mounted in said guideway, a hammer having a hole :therein mounted on said guide rod, said guide rod'extending through said hole, a compression coil spring mounted, onZsaid-guide rod'above said hammer, a retainer elementl mounted on said guide'rod above saidts'pring for holding said-:spring j under compression against said hammer, whereby'to normally maintain said'hammer aTfiI'Stj'bOttOm positionat the bottom of said guideway, a staple, driver-attached V toilock said lever against movement back to its original to said hammer, said driver'extending through said elongated opening whensa'id hammer is in said;first position, a s'tapleimag'azine located below said bottom' wal1,1means :for' feeding staples i in ,said vmagazine. towa 1'd:said front xwall in'position to be ejected by tsaididrilver, a-ilever 'pivotally' secured'between said, side walls; said lever having a rear handle portion and a front portion-,3 hammer operating element fpivotally secured to said front portion,

said: hammer, operatingtelementkrcomprfising ag depending V hook" portion for engaging .saidghaimmer'j ,andflfor' lifting j s aid hammer against ,the' force of's'aidcompression, spring when, said lever is pivoted in a firstjdirection, said ham-i amen toperatingjelement also havin'gia'tfingerextending Itoward sa'id frfont rwall, means normally holding said hook portion in engagementwvithgsaidihammer;saidemtainer elementhaving-a surfacetpos'itioned to beg engaged t by said finger when said hammer; upwa d .past at preselected point determined by? theiposition jof' said -retain'erielement, said l retainer element; surface i sliaped -to' pivot'jsaid hammer operating 'e'leme'nt in 'a direction 7, -to disengage said hook portion froni'saidhammer, wheref "by 1' anew said hammer "ro e reame rapidly'to said first-position 'by saidcompressionspring; and means for 'pivotingi said; lever. in a direction ioppositeto said first direction whereby to restore said hookportion to engaging relationwith said hammer in said first position. 6. In a staple 'tackercomprising a frame housing a staple magazine, mechanism for ejectingstaplest'one by one. from said magazine, a base member for closing said a staple magazine,"means pivoting one end of'saidbase memberto oneend of said frame,-and means for releasably lockingthe-Opposite end of said base member to said frame, the improvement comprising a screen 10 puller slidably attached to said base member on the side facing said magazine, said screen puller havinga plurality of pointedlteeth andmovable from a'first position whereinsaid teeth are retracted into; said frame and a second positionawherein said teeth'project outwardly of said frame and said'basemember. 1 ;f g p V t, 7: Aistaple tacker comprising a vertical guideway having a (narrow elongated opening at one :end for a staple driving blade,a hammer mounted-in 'said' vertical guideway for reciprocal movement therein, a staple driving blade carried by said hammer, said hammer normally located at one end of said guideway with rsaid driver blade extending through said'narrow opening,ja first' spring opposing movement of said hammerraway from Said oneguideway end, means at said one end for absorbing the energy of said hammer when said hammer is a returned rapidly to said guideway end by 'saidfirstspring,

for engaging said hammerwhereby when said 1min pivoted by-force in, a direction'said hammer lifting element willfimove said hammer; away from said one guideway'end in opposition to said first spring, means formoving said hammer lifting element away from said hammer when said hammer hasbcen moved a selected distance away from said one; guideway end, wher eby to release said hammer for a return stroke back to said one guideway end under, the, force exerted by said first 4,9 spring, means urging said lever in -a'second direction whereby said lever will return-to its original position after it is released ofsaid first direction force a pin'on said lever intermediate the pivot point of said leverand the pivot point of; said ,hammerlifting element, and a 5 latch located above Said ipinandfengageable therewith;

of the stapler;

' ReferencesCited-intlije' t {"UNTIED s'rArEs PA-TENTs: T2,'2 s,1jo2" Atkin ;:Deie3bj1941 2,294,463; 1mm; 32 298,123; H es 2,309,628 1 Crosby 2,412,62 it 1 K pp;- 7 2,455,526 fl Morberg 302,569,,2ZQ Battenfl 2',719,29s Marano 11 7 6 0 wam-l g, IFQRBIGN PATENTS] 13,07

4 furthenine i g a QVI"m Ii-,QQY I P t t p e d of sa d 1 so d y a t e r rd-endzo sa d l nza d wve member having a slot; said;;l atchhavingaportionprojecting upward through said;slot; whereby-, said"latch V 'may be engaged and operatedmannallyby the-operator -Greatl3ritain Fet}, 16,1949 

